I think what has not been stated enough in all of this is that it wasn't that a team chose to start its fourth line, that happens, it was that Hartley started his goons, and had Westgarth at centre. It's the history Hartley has and the fact that other coaches and players know his reputation and intent. If it was a different coach, different team I don't think Torts goes ape shit. It's the fact he knew what Hartley was up to. His own players, and ex-players say as much. His fourth line was out there with orders to start a fight.

Perhaps if Torts had started Richardson then Bieksa doesn't feel the need to step up and only Sestito and McGratton go after it. It's as if Calgary felt that because Lain was 6'6 they had a green light to fight. Putting Lain out there was not an invitation to fight, nor was it Torts accepting a challenge, he simply matched 4th lines with 4th lines, a move he regrets with respect to Lain.

If you listen to Westgarth the intention and direction from the coach was clear. Having said that Torts crossed a line with his attempted visit to the Flames dressing room. As much as I love what he showed it is a line that should not be crossed. He deserves a hearty fine and or suspension, one I think the team will respond to. Hartley does not deserve a suspension but a fine is in order.

Who won the fights is irrelevant to me. Players from both teams suffered as a result and were gassed at the end of the game. But perhaps we should have saved those ice scrapings so DNA tests could have been done to see who's blood it is. Pretty sure it was Flame blood spoiling the ice

Hockey Widow wrote:But perhaps we should have saved those ice scrapings so DNA tests could have been done to see who's blood it is. Pretty sure it was Flame blood spoiling the ice

Well two Flames had to change their jerseys in the penalty box for being blood soaked before one of those two was sent to the showers. The Flame who stayed in the game had to change his jersey again later in the game for the same reason.

Not surprisingly, reading Bountiful, the one guy who stood his ground in the game thread saying the outburst on the opening draw was an unnecessary black mark, was himself banned.

ClamRussel wrote:Ok, a line brawl and the 2 biggest goons on the ice are the only 2 who DON'T get kicked out?Any explanation for that? NHL logic?

The first fight is allowed.

Any additional fights at the same time results in ejaculation... errr ejection.

Clam continues in his failure to understand the rules of the game.

Troller again fails in his ability to comprehend. My point was there appeared to be a lot of simultaneous fighting occurring. It wasn't like there was a initial fight in the bunch. But feel free to ignore that. Give you more time to jerk off to the CBA.

Last edited by ClamRussel on Mon Jan 20, 2014 4:19 am, edited 1 time in total.

ClamRussel wrote:What will be interesting is how the league handles Hartley and Burke's alleged involvement in this spectacle. Buffalo coach was fined for doing the same thing Hartley did.

Alleged involvement? Link? Source?

TSN brought it up a couple times. They spoke about it like it was understood among the insiders. Who knows what really transpired. Today they said if Burke didn't influence that starting lineup, that Hartley would have known BB's history w/ Aquilini/Gillis; alluding he'd want to impress the new boss. Probably just bs media drama.